International Nurses Day at HMT
International Nurses Day is celebrated on 12th May each year, to honour the unwavering dedication, compassion, and resilience of nurses everywhere.
At HMT, we recognise, appreciate and are grateful for our nurses, who consistently work hard to provide care and comfort to all.
No-one understands this job role more than our nurses themselves, therefore we want to share insights straight from some of our wonderful nurses, and what nursing means to them.
Pamela Richards – Ward HCSW
I have been a HCSW (healthcare support worker) for 25 years. I have worked at St Marie’s Hospital since 2022. I enjoy working at SMH as I find it fulfilling to look after patients from the admission process, caring for them post-operatively right through to their discharge. To feel like I have had a positive impact on a patient’s hospital experience gives me a sense of purpose.
Positive working relationships are very important to me, and good teamwork is essential, especially during busy times. I feel this career gives me a good work-life balance as along with offering continued learning and growth and I still get to spend quality time with my family.
Tracy Taylor – Deputy Ward Manager.
To me, being a nurse is more than just a career choice, it has been 23 years in a profession where you get to connect with patients and their families when they are at their most vulnerable. This can be anything from providing hands on care, undertaking nursing interventions, administering medication or even just being ‘that listening ear’.
Nursing is a profession where care and compassion goes hand in hand with evidence-based practice and science. It involves lifelong learning and through the different roles of my career, from a newly qualified ‘D’ Grade staff nurse through to management roles, the scope for growth and development is endless. As medicine and nursing continues to evolve, each day brings new challenges that require critical thinking, problem solving along with strength, resilience and empathy. On International Nurses Day 2025, I am proud to celebrate the skill, strength and dedication that nurses around the world show on a daily. Making the impossible look easy!
Claire Thomas – Ward Senior Staff Nurse.
My journey in nursing began 18 years ago and has been extremely rewarding. From my first day as a junior nurse to present day as a senior staff nurse, I have felt privileged and proud to be part of a profession that makes a difference to people’s lives. It’s not all about the lifesaving moments. Empathy, compassion and holding someone’s hand when they feel vulnerable show the true qualities of a nurse. Being a nurse allows critical thinking with heart.
Working alongside an amazing team who are dedicated, skilled and empathetic, helps reminds me daily why I’m passionate about my chosen career path.
Tracy Ace – Head of Clinical Services
Being a nurse has been one of the most rewarding and transformative journeys of my life. For over 12 years, I have been nursing, and during that time I have progressed through a variety of roles from hands on clinical care to management which reflects one of the unique strengths of this profession and its incredible scope for growth and development. Nursing allows you to evolve, to learn continuously, and to take on new challenges while always keeping patient care at the heart of everything you do.
Having started my career delivering direct care to patients, I’ve seen first-hand the profound impact compassion, skill, and attentiveness can have, not just on patients, but on their families as well. Supporting patients through some of their most vulnerable moments has been both humbling and inspiring. I’ve also had the privilege of witnessing truly wonderful patient outcomes that remind me why we do what we do.
Throughout my career, I have worked with some truly wonderful nurses and have been inspired by many others whose dedication, resilience, and compassion continue to motivate me every day. As I’ve moved into leadership roles, I’ve gained a broader perspective on how to support both patients and the teams that care for them. On this International Nurses Day 2025, I’m proud to celebrate a career that not only changes lives but also offers endless opportunities to grow, lead, and inspire.
We are deeply grateful for our nurses every single day. Their tireless efforts and commitment to providing exceptional care at HMT is truly amazing. Thank you all for making a difference in the lives of countless patients and their families.
If you’re interested in joining the nurses here at HMT, have a look at our careers page.